Gas-generator.



Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

T. C. TOWNEND.

GAS GENERATOR APPLICATION FILED MAR. I5 1915.

M40553?- Zy. 16; @2114 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFroE.

THOMAS C. TOWNEND, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

GAS-GENERATOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. TOWNEND, a resident of Decatur, county of Macon, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in gas generators and particularly to acetylene gas generators utilizing carbid or similar material.

The principal object is the provision of such a mechanism which operates automatically to deliver or discharge predetermined quantities of carbid into the liquid as the pressure of the gas approaches or reaches a lower limit.

A further object is the provision of such a device which operates without the necessity of utilizing weights or springs.

Further objects include the improvement of various details of construction and arrangement.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and then sought to be defined in the appended claim, reference being made to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and in which is shown merely for the purpose of illustrative disclosure a preferred embodiment of my invention, it being expressly understood however that changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claim without digressing from my inventive idea.

The figure of the drawing represents a vertical section through a device constructed according to my invention.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the outer casing or shell having the removable cover or lid 2. Mounted therein is the inner casing or shell 3, which I term the diaphragm, and which is adapted to contain the water or other fluid and in which gas is generated. Seated upon the upper and open edge 4 of this inner casing or shell is the hopper 5 which is provided with the flange 6 to form a secure seat and which also has the conical portion 7 tapering to the discharge opening or aperture 8. Depending from this conical portion is the outer sleeve 9 within which is movably supported the inner sleeve 10. The hanger Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept, 19 1916 Application filed March 15, 1915.

Serial No. 14,348.

irons 11 have an adjustable connection 12 with the cross-bar 13 which adjustably supports the lower shut-off and spreader plate or member 14 which is in the form of a cone, as shown and on which the inner sleeve is adapted to fit and rest when in its lowered position. This inner sleeve 10 is adapted to be raised and lowered automatically and to that end the following connections are provided. On the transverse brace or bar 15 is pivotally mounted the operating or trip lever 16, having the engaging end 17 and having its other end connected to link or rod 18 which passes through sleeve or pipe 19 extending from top to bottom of the hopper and supported by upper brace 15 and lower brace or bridge 20. To the lower end of this link or rod is secured the upper valve or shut-ofi member 21, shown in the form of a cone pointed upwardly and adapted to close said discharge opening or aperture 8. The inner sleeve is supported from this shut-off member 21 b means of brackets 22, so that the shut-0 member and inner sleeve are raised and lowered together whereby when in their uppermost position the discharge of material fromthe hopper will be prevented and when in their lowermost position, the lower end of the inner sleeve will be closed and a charge, of'material will pass thereinto from the hopper. This operation is controlled by the bell 23 which will assume various positions depending upon the gas pressure and volume. When that decreases the bell lowers until the lever is actuated, raising the shut-off member 21 and preventing further supply of material from the hopper to the inner sleeve. As the inner sleeve is also raised, the charge of material therein is discharged being sprinkled or scattered by plate 14. l/Vhen the volume and pressure of the gas increases the bell is raised and the lever 16 released permitting the parts to assume the position shown in the drawing.

The gas is drawn off and conveyed to the system through filter 24 on the open end of pipe 25 which has a depending extension 26 to provide a trap having cap 27. This pipe 25 also has an upper extension 28 closed by cap 29. Branch 30 leads to the system, a valve 31 being interposed to control the communication of the system with pipe 25. Then the bell is lifted for refilling or cleaning the cap 29 is removed to permit the entrance of air. That is also the case when the bell is replaced in position to permit the escape of the air in the bell, valve 31 being closed so that air does not get into the system.

I also provide a reserve feed pocket or compartment 32 in the hopper having conical valve 33 operated by valve rod 34 having a plate or extension 35 to engage a similar plate or extension 36 on the lift rod 37 which is pivoted to arm 38 of crank 39. This crank is journaled in casing 3 and has its outer arm 40 adjustably secured thereon by set screw 41. Operating rod 42 connects thereto and extends upwardly to near the top of the outer casing, for convenient manipulation. This construction is for the purpose of providing a supply of material which may be discharged into the generating compartment in emergencies, as at night when the hopper is empty so as to generate a limited supply of gas.

It is impossible to overcharge the machine for when the charge oii carbidleaves inner sleeve 10 the top shut-off cone is entirely closed, to prevent passage of the carbid into the inner sleeve from the hopper, it being understood that lump carbid is preferably used in this mechanism.

The operation of the device is evident from the above description and it is seen that I have provided a generator which operates automatically without the use of springs or weights. By the use of the inner sleeve and the spreader, that is the lower conical plate, I obtain most eflicient results in the regulated production of gas due to the measured quantities released and copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents;

mounted on said casing Within said bell and having a discharge opening, a sleeve depending from said hopper and surrounding said discharge opening, a spreader plate supported by the hopper below said sleeve, a second sleeve telescopically carried within said first sleeve and movable therein to engage and be removed from off of said spreader plate, a valve secured within and to the upper part of said second sleeve, adapted when said second sleeve is raised to close the discharge opening of the hopper, a rod connected to said valve and extending up through said hopper, and a lever for operating said rod, said lever pivotally attached to the upper part of the hopper and adapted to be actuated by said bell, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I sign my name in the presence of tWo subscribing witnesses. THOMAS C. TOWVNEND. Witnesses:

N. GRAHAM, IRA C. GRAHAM.

Washington, D. C. 

